ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: If I'm being entirely honest, I am extremely jealous of my sister. She has always been smarter than me and prettier than me, and things just seem to come more easily for her. Growing up, teachers would always compare us, and even now as adults, I feel like people still put her on a pedestal. She has a great job and a loving ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: One of the highlights of our trip to Paris was an opera performance at the Palais Garnier. The opera, "Medee" by Cherubini, is in excess of four hours, with two brief intermissions.

We were seated in the two front seats of a box in the first loge with three pairs of seats behind us. Without an aisle, the box occupants must ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married to a wonderful man for over 10 years, and during that time, I've grown to love his son as my own. My stepson, "Brian," is now 28 and has struggled with drug addiction for most of his adult life. We've helped him through multiple rehab programs, paid his rent when he's been evicted and even bailed him out of jail ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: The grocery store a mile from our house has recently gone through a major expansion and upgrade. I have shopped there my entire life. The store has two points of ingress and egress. I have always entered through the door most convenient for me. If what I need is on the east side of the store, I enter and exit via the closest door.

...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been married to my husband, "Dave," for 22 years. We met in college, and back then he was funny, attentive and full of life. We built a life together, raised two kids, managed careers, took family vacations, hosted holidays and always tried to be a united front, even during hard times. I have always thought of our marriage ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my wife for 40 years, including 32 years of marriage. I have done the best I could as a boyfriend, a fiance, a husband and a father to our two adult children, and I continue to do so today.

Until 10 years ago, I thought we had the best marriage possible. Then my wife entered menopause and everything changed. I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have some friends who recently celebrated a big anniversary. They went all out for each other, hosting a renewal of vows and everything, but just for the two of them. I thought this was so sweet. Meanwhile, my spouse and I barely said happy anniversary to each other this year. It was also a milestone for us, but these days, it ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I shared a cute photo of my daughter with several other mothers by creating a group text. It was a single picture of my daughter, not a mile-long text exchange.

One of the mothers texted me separately not to include her in a text chain with people she does not know, and then exited the group.

Is it bad text etiquette to do ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband will be 60 on his next birthday, and despite having asthma, he's in very good shape. Our daughter is 27 and doesn't manage her finances or life very well. She recently asked my husband to help her move as he has done four times previously. He agreed, even though it was just the two of them moving everything.

The new ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: When my ex-wife died recently, she left our two children (in their 20s and 30s) a home that was in her name. My son has a good job; my daughter works periodically as a model. Losing her devastated both of them. The home she left them is not only in bad shape but also needs repairs and zoning and permitting updates.

I earn a good ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My brother and his wife are separated, and things have gotten messy. Because it seems that they have come to a standstill, now his wife's family has started reaching out to extended family members -- including me -- to encourage us to try to get them back together. I don't want to get involved. This is their business. I can't ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I belong to a local social media group that lets people loan and borrow items. I recently posted a query asking to borrow a piece of equipment for an upcoming surgery, and someone graciously responded. I'd like to include a token of my gratitude upon returning the item, but have no idea what, since this person is a stranger to...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a 44-year-old autistic man living in Montana. I am happily involved with a woman who has five kids, ages 12 to 24. My question is about breaking unhealthy patterns. Growing up, my family often held grudges against me for my past mistakes, even when I've admitted my faults and failures. Now I find myself doing the same with my ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I live in a very small town. My husband died a year ago and, since then, I have felt like some of these people are angry with me. Six months after he died, I had what my therapist called a "nervous breakdown." I know I wasn't myself for some time, and I can't remember much of what I did or said. I have been told I said things to close...Read more